Dr. Dale Oates specializes in ophthalmology (eye disease) and practices in Quincy, MA, Weymouth, MA, and Milton, MA. His areas of clinical interest consist of glaucoma and cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Patients gave him an average rating of 3.5 stars out of 5. Dr. Oates is in-network for Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Coventry, and Tufts Health Plan, in addition to other insurance carriers. After attending Harvard Medical School, Dr. Oates completed his residency training at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. His professional affiliations include Beth Israel Deaconess (BID) Hospital-Milton, South Shore Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital. New patients are welcome to contact his office for an appointment.

Dr. Maida Antigua practices ophthalmology (eye disease). Dr. Antigua's clinical interests encompass glaucoma and cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. She is affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess (BID) Hospital-Milton and South Shore Hospital. Before performing her residency at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Dr. Antigua attended Cebu Institute of Medicine for medical school. Patient reviews placed Dr. Antigua at an average of 4.5 stars out of 5. She honors Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Tufts Health Plan, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, as well as other insurance carriers. She has received professional recognition including the following: Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary. 10 Years Award and Dedication to Resident Teaching.. Dr. Antigua's practice is open to new patients.

Dr. David Lotufo works as an ophthalmologist. In his practice, Dr. Lotufo focuses on glaucoma. He honors Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze, and Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO, as well as other insurance carriers. New patients are welcome to contact Dr. Lotufo's office for an appointment. Dr. Lotufo attended medical school at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. His medical residency was performed at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. His distinctions include: Diamond Award, Harvard Community Health Plan; Peer Recognition Award, Harvard Community Health; and Plan.

Dr. Michael Chang is a specialist in ophthalmology (eye disease). He works in Weymouth, MA and Milton, MA. His areas of expertise include glaucoma. Dr. Chang is an in-network provider for several insurance carriers, including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Tufts Health Plan, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Bronze. He graduated from Harvard Medical School and then he performed his residency at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He offers interpreting services for his patients. His professional affiliations include Beth Israel Deaconess (BID) Hospital-Milton and South Shore Hospital. New patients are welcome to contact Dr. Chang's office for an appointment.

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What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that occurs when drainage canals within the eye become clogged or blocked. Fluid builds up within the eye, and the increasing pressure damages the optic nerve. It is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States and the primary cause of blindness among African Americans.

The most common form of glaucoma, accounting for more than 90% of all cases, is called open-angle glaucoma. In open-angle glaucoma, the drainage canals become clogged but are not blocked entirely. Because some fluid is still able to drain, people with this type of glaucoma may feel fine and not have any symptoms for years after the onset of the disease. Later on, patients will notice a loss of peripheral vision, or darkness and blurriness at the sides of their visual field. When they look straight at something, their vision will be as good as it ever was. Unfortunately, by this time, the glaucoma is already at a severe stage, and without treatment it can lead to complete blindness.

There are other, less common types of glaucoma. Angle-closure glaucoma is an acute form of glaucoma that comes on very suddenly. The drainage canals become blocked and pressure within the eye rises very rapidly. Patients will have a sudden loss of vision along with headaches or nausea. This type of glaucoma needs to be treated right away. Rarely, children can be born with glaucoma or develop it in infancy. Babies with glaucoma may shy away from bright lights, be irritable, or have poor appetites.

Because glaucoma most often does not have symptoms in the early stages, it is important to have regular eye exams to check for glaucoma, especially if you are at risk. High risk groups include African Americans, Latinos, people with diabetes, and anyone over age 60. An eye doctor can check for glaucoma in several different ways. A visual field test checks for loss of peripheral vision. A dilated eye exam allows the doctor to see the optic nerve and inspect it for damage. A test called tonometry, in which a tiny puff of air is blown at the eye, checks the pressure within the eye and screens specifically for glaucoma.

Once you have a diagnosis, treatment depends on the type and stage of glaucoma that you have. Most people with glaucoma treat it with medicated eye drops. These drops help decrease fluid production within the eye and increase drainage. If medications aren’t enough, another option is to have surgery to open up the drainage canals. Although surgery can halt the progression of glaucoma, it cannot restore vision that has already been lost to the disease.